Proposed rule would certify VA doctors as medical examiners

Qualified physicians would be required to complete FMCSA training, testing

Posted December 2, 2016

Qualified physicians — employed with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) — may be given an alternate route to appear on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME) in order to perform commercial driver physicals, if a proposed rule becomes finalized.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a Notice of proposed rulemaking that would allow VA physicians the opportunity to perform medical examinations and issue Medical Examiner’s Certificates to commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operators who are military veterans enrolled in the VA health system. According to the proposal, in order to become a certified VA medical examiner, the qualified physician would have to successfully complete an FMCSA-developed training and testing program conducted through the VA.

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act spells out specific requirements in order to be a qualified VA physician. Individuals must: